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Psion Class v2.3.0 - Update!
🕑 Added 2024-08-25 15:43:01 +0000 UTCHey all!
After just over a year of feedback, I’m back today with an update for my Psion Class! What began as my take/update on the old UA Mystic Class has continued to evolve (or mutate) into its own stand-alone class.
As always, I’m open to any feedback or suggestions you have. Let me know in the comments if I’m missing any big ideas for Talents or Awakenings!
~ laserllama
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Psion Class v2.3.0
Not a ton of class/playstyle altering changes, but this time around the update has mostly been focused on smoothing out bumps and fine-tuning the class’s balance.
Psionics:
As part of the description, your Psionic spells explicitly interact with spellcasting as any other spell would (too far along in 5e’s lifespan to wholesale add a parallel spellcasting system IMO). Psi Point scaling has also been slightly scaled back at higher levels and explicitly added to the class table.
I’ve also clarified how your Mental Limit applies as a limit every time you expend Psi Points (not just for spells). Finally, I’ve restricted your Psionic Spellcasting to be impossible in armor other than light armor (unless a feature says otherwise).
Limitless:
Streamlined this feature a bit to prevent arguing with your DM about what counts as light (enough) activity. You now regain all Psi Points with a 10 minute “short rest”.
Spell List:
Trimmed down in general to reinforce the flavor of the Psion. Added guidelines for adding thematic spells from other sources (and cut spells from Fizban’s since you can add them back with this rule). Cut illusion spells because I’d eventually like to add new “Delusion” Talent.
Psion Spells:
All of my spells have been moved out of class documents and can be found in the laserllama Spell Compendium. A number of Psion-exclusive spells have been tweaked/updated.
Awakenings:
These should all play the same, but there have been quite a few tweaks to the Psion’s subclasses. Hopefully helping them to play better at the table and better represent the themes they’re trying to emulate.
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CHANGE LOG v2.2.0 -> v2.3.0
Multiclassing // Removed the bonus skill proficiency.
Awakening // Renamed (Psionic Awakening). Added the Visionary Awakening!
Psionics // Note that they are explicitly magical and work with magic.
Psionics // Psi Points // Scaling reduced, added to Psion class table.
Psionics // Mental Limit // Clarified how this applied to all uses of Psi Points.
Psionics // Awakening Spells // Now explained under this feature.
Psionics // Spellcasting Restrictions // Added this to balance full spellcasters.
Psionic Recovery // Renamed (Harmonious Recovery).
Consumptive Power // Costs two Hit Points per Psi Point.
Interior Gate // These now explicitly don’t count against your Spells Known.
Limitless // Reworked how Psi Point regen works.
Spells // Removed from doc, added link to the laserllama Spell Compendium.
Psion Spell List
Updated spell list to match my latest updates to the LL Spell Compendium.
Cantrips // Mind Thrust // Reworked, INT save, damage reduced, no reactions.
Cantrips // NEW // mystic hammer (new Cantrip)!
1st // CUT // expeditious retreat + longstrider (redundant with Celerity Talent), silent image, unseen servant.
1st // NEW // ethereal anchor
2nd // CUT // arcane mischief (from Fizban’s), tower of iron will (deleted).
3rd // CUT // catnap
4th // CUT // hallucinatory terrain, psychic lance (from Fizban’s)
5th // CUT // legend lore, mislead
6th // CUT // arcane transformation, irresistible dance, magic jar, platinum shield (from Fizban’s).
7th // CUT // dream of the blue veil, mirage arcane, power word: pain
8th // CUT // power word: stun
9th // CUT // imprisonment, power word: kill
Empath
Aura Sight // You now just make Intelligence (Insight) checks. You also get INT mod free uses of your ability to read a creatures Aura.
Emotional Flood // Reworked around CHA saves. Reworked all three effects.
Mantle of Clam // Now grants creatures in range proficiency in mental saves. Radius of the Mantle now scales with level.
Ascended Empath // Allows you to use Emotional Flood as a bonus action.
Enlightened
Third Eye // CUT (will probably bring this back as a Talent tree eventually…)
Enlightened Potential // NEW feature - free Talent a level early!
Enlightened Spells // spectral passage replaced slow.
Focused Psionics // Now works with any Psion spell that deals damage.
Ascended Form // includes spectral passage effects now.
Immortal
Immortal Spells // death ward replaced freedom of movement
Esoteric Skill // Renamed and streamlined.
Immortal Training // Gives shield proficiency and the ability to use Psionics while you are in medium armor and/or using a shield.
Immortal Will // Moved up to 3rd level (still limited by your Mental Limit).
Psionic Smite // CUT
Extra Attack // Reworked to match my most recent “Cantrip Extra Attacks”.
Phase Walk // Moved up to 14th level.
Immortal Will // NEW feature to regain health (and be immortal).
Outsider
Aberrant Form // Reworked around a Vessel-type stat block.
Alien Evolution // CUT (some parts merged into the stat block).
Psionic Control // Moved up to 3rd level.
Extra Attack // Reworked to match my most recent “Cantrip Extra Attacks”.
Eldritch Rift // Now works anytime you expend Psi Points.
Visionary
NEW Awakening that lets you create objects of pure psionic force
Wilder
Inscrutable Psyche // Renamed and streamlined how this feature works.
Wild Psionics // Now triggers whenever you expend Psi Points and uses a d6.
Psionic Eruption // Renamed (Psionic Burst). Triggers when you are attacked.
Psychic Storm // Renamed (Mental Force). Works with any Psion damage spell.
Psionic Surge Table // Streamlined wording of the results.
Unleashed Wilder // Clarified how the “exploding dice” mechanic works.
Mystic Talents
Celerity I // Added Disengage as a BA option.
Celerity II // Reworked. Run on water/walls.
Celerity III // Allows you to briefly turn invisible.
Celerity IV // You gain an extra action each turn (limited options).
Iron Durability I // Now 10 + CON + INT
Iron Durability II // Removed Psi Point cost.
Iron Durability III // Resistance lasts until you use this feature again.
Iron Durability IV // Reworked around resistances and damage reduction.
Metamorphosis I // INT Strength checks, unarmed strikes, and psionic strikes.
Metamorphosis II // Clarified/streamlined this wording.
Metamorphosis III // Clarified interactions with polymorph.
Metamorphosis IV // Clarified/streamlined this wording.
Precognition III // Removed Psi Point cost.
Precognition IV // You have two reactions while in your Heightened State.
Restoration // Reworked this whole Talent around a Restoration Pool of healing.
Telekinesis // Buffed the mage hands, multiple hands, at-will telekinesis spell.
Telepathy // Reworked/buffed this whole Talent.
New Patreon-exclusive Awakening revolving around planar-power/attunement.
New Patreon-exclusive Awakening with gravity/repulsion/attraction powers.
Comments
Jeff Potato
I just noticed something: the Alternate Monk's Mystic subclass, which learns Psion talents, says "If a Talent you learn uses your Intelligence modifier, you can choose to use your Wisdom modifier instead." Certain talents (I'm looking at Telekinesis I and II at the moment) reference the Psion's Intelligence *score* rather than their Intelligence modifier. Should a Mystic be able to use their Wisdom score for this purpose? (I really want to play a Mystic sometime, it's so damn cool, but I'm kinda in the middle of a long-term campaign with a Divine Right Alt-Sorcerer at the moment.)
StellarVulpine
Gotta be honest, I'ma be using the old version of Mind Thrust. I loathe saving throws on attack cantrips. It instantly turns them into save or suck spells, and I can't stand those. I'm in the middle of a campaign as an Empath, and I'm not giving up my only good attack
23BLUENINJA
This is great. I actually played the OG, 5e playtest psion for pretty much a full campaign, if only Id been able to play this. I have some points of feedback, but this is a very cool class: - On 20th level, I recall going through the debate on infinite spells with the alt warlock. Do you think the spell list of the psion is sufficiently 'weak' enough to justify what amounts to infinite 5th level or lower spells the entire day? Looking through it I did notice an overall lack of utility spells (ie, no legend lore), so Im inclined to think its fine. - For the Empath, it needs a way to overcome charm/fear immunity (ie, you ignore a creatures immunity to the frightened or charmed condition unless they are a construct or undead, but they have advantage on the saving throw). Its last two feature are entirely dependent upon it but many high CR creatures ignore it outright. - For the Outsider, the rules of the aberrant form change dramatically from level 1 to 3, such that it feels like either level 3 should come online much later, or the rules should be that way in the first place. - For Iron Durability IV, is this actually *all* damage or was it supposed to just be BPS? Thats all, great work! Hope I get to play it some day.
Jeff Potato
I'm mildly disappointed that the Visionary can't "summon" "creatures" of psionic force, because I have very fond memories of the Astral Constructs from 3e, but I guess the subclass doesn't need any more power. Projected Defense is pretty damned rockstar already. And wow, Telekinesis got really buffed. Even the baseline Telekinesis I lets you lift 10 times your INT *score*? But I guess it makes sense, Mage Hand is common and frankly the Telekinetic feat seems popular, so an actual Psion who focuses on it *should* be much better than some scrub who took a feat and thinks he's a real psychic now.
